Muladhara - The root chakra

The root chakra is the center of the personality's will and will ultimately become the recipient of the will of the soul (Father/Spirit).

Kidney structure

The kidneys begin their activity in the pelvis. Here the soul stores the detailed program of the structure and function of the kidneys during this incarnation, i.e. they contain the energy of the base chakra. Before birth, they then ascend to their normal position in the lumbar region.

Adrenal glands

The adrenal glands are located on top of the kidneys. Their main function is to help the body cope with stress by regulating the supply of energy to the body's essential organs without reducing overall body activity. Each adrenal gland has two parts:

a) the medulla is connected to the autonomic nervous system and secretes adrenaline and noradrenaline;

b) the cortex secretes cortisol, aldosterone and small amounts of sex hormones.

The initial response to stress is an increased release of adrenaline into the system, which prepares the body to fight or flight. This is every organism's response to danger and is also a perfect example of duality, as it allows the individual to choose whether to flee or stay and fight. The action of adrenaline reduces the activity and blood supply to other organs, such as the reproductive organs, digestive tract and urinary tract, and diverts this energy to organs that provide basic functions such as the heart, lungs, brain and muscles. When the danger passes, the body naturally adjusts to a resting state, like a cat that stretches out and takes a nap after an exhausting bird hunt in the garden. Blood then returns to other organs and blood flow decreases to those that were previously overexerted. But nowadays, very little time is devoted to such a luxury as rest, so the adrenal glands are constantly stimulated. This results in “modern” ailments such as muscle fatigue, heart disease, easy fatigability, stomach ulcers, infertility, and digestive disorders.

In order to extract more energy from the depleted system, cortisol is released, which allows the release of energy stores from the muscles and liver. If cortisol is released at an unabated rate, symptoms similar to those of long-term use of synthetic steroids will occur. These problems include hypertension, diabetes, muscle weakness, thinning of bones and skin, and a weakened immune system. Ultimately, this leads to adrenal dysfunction, leaving the person with a weakened adrenal system and reduced resistance to stress. To understand the process that causes this constant physical strain, it is useful to talk a little more about soul growth and its connection to the base chakra.

Spirit and matter

When the soul energy reaches the base chakra, it can be said that the soul is fully incarnated into the physical body and is now connected to the earth. The base chakra is the place where the spirit is fully connected to matter and where the "will to be" is expressed, i.e. human existence. The place where the soul begins to descend into matter is the crown chakra. If we imagine it anatomically, the connection between the crown and base chakras is the spinal cord protected by the vertebrae. The spinal cord, as part of the nervous system, is directly connected to the etheric body and through it to the other subtle bodies.

This therefore forms the framework for the functioning of life on Earth. This is not an unchanging function, because when the soul descends into matter, it changes its vibration and changes occur in the spinal cord and other nerves, which in turn also changes the vibrations of the tissue it nourishes. Chiropractic and osteopath methods are aimed at changing the position of individual vertebrae, and in this way the free passage of soul energy is allowed.

Spiritual aspect: self-awareness

When the soul incarnates into a physical body, the child is aware of itself and the unity between Mother and Father. This brings it a sense of unity, because it knows who it is and what its place is in the Great Plan. Without this awareness, it is difficult to feel secure. To escape anxiety, we try to achieve security by surrounding ourselves with various external structures such as home, family, work, etc. This leads to a stronger identification with the physical world than with the spiritual world. At the level of the base chakra, the question of security leads to the extremes of superiority and subordination, which manifests as the fight or flight response . The growth of the soul gives us the courage to give up our attachment to external forms to some extent and to become aware of our own inner strength.

The way to do this is by accepting both extremes and finding a less stressful way of life. This means neither running away nor attacking. It means a more passive demonstration of strength, and it is known that animals respect the inviolability of this step. Such a stance requires courage and faith from us and can throw us from one extreme to the other many times on the attack-flight axis. This is normal and if we do not let fear limit us, we will eventually find our own balance. Attack and flight are usually present together, but one aspect is decisive. People who try to harmonize their base chakra are often perfectionists who are afraid of failure and try their best to achieve a goal that would give them a sense of security. Unfortunately, there is no exact definition of what is perfect and their goals are usually imprecisely defined and therefore unattainable, which leads to further feelings of failure. People of this type try their best to achieve what is the measure of success for them. That's why they beat themselves and others up, especially when problems arise. They are critical and intolerant of people who don't work according to their ideas, as if it were their own failure.

Unfortunately, success achieved at the cost of others' pain rarely brings inner peace. Perfectionists can become irritable and aggressive and show little understanding for the needs of those around them. When they get into trouble, they can act aggressively or, conversely, become defensive and withdrawn. They are often competitive types, both at work and in extracurricular activities. They enjoy sports such as squash, tennis, swimming, etc. And they can also be suspicious when they feel that their privileged position is being threatened. These people often grew up in families where success was valued above all and only that was deserving of love. On a psychological level, the driving command has become "be perfect" and until this command is released, it governs their entire adult life. Specific problems arise when these commands take a negative form, such as "you will never do anything right or you will mess everything up." It is common in families where parents also feel insecure and do not want their child to surpass them and be more successful and fulfilled than them. It is difficult for people with the “base chakra” to rest because they are afraid of missing out on the next step on the ladder to success, they are constantly busy with something. Even when they are sitting, they appear restless and are constantly thinking about something. They never have time and they hate queues and waiting. They would rather leave without what they wanted than wait.

These people live in the future and the past, and they deprive themselves of the joy of the present. We can recognize them when they walk down the street - their heads are already at work, planning what they will do the next day; their legs and lower body are dragging in the past, still attached to what happened the morning before they left the house. Only one area remains in the present; the solar plexus area, the seat of emotions, which is trying with all its might to absorb all the information it receives. These people have a desperate need to control everything and are very demanding about their things: they straighten pictures, make lists of recorded tapes, and it annoys them when someone puts a book back on the shelf in a different place than where it belongs. They do everything by the rules and put people and things in different compartments. Their sense of security comes from knowing where to put things.

However, if something or someone intends to disrupt their carefully prepared plans (this also applies to the weather), they become irritable and anxious. They do not cope easily with change and, due to their desire for perfection, can even find themselves in situations where constant change is typical. This results in a constant need to keep their finger on the alert button, which means they are constantly on the alert and on guard.

However, the home of a perfectionist at work can look like a den. This is evidence of a bipolar reality, where the second pole is expressed to balance the extreme form of the first. Bipolarity can also manifest itself as a strict, pedantic father and a rebellious son. Neither is relaxed or content, as both must strive to maintain their position.

The energy that unites the two extremes and brings harmony can be observed in a two-year-old child. The child does not live by human laws but by God's laws and remembers how to rejoice. Running away is an expression of the need to run away and hide. This occurs in people who suffer from agoraphobia or who assume a defensive position when approached. It is also evident in people who occupy positions of authority where they can hide behind their uniform and avoid confronting their own insecurities. It can be threatening for a doctor to take off their white coat or walk around the table and be on an equal footing with a patient. Insecure leaders encourage others to increase their own sense of security, but they will not allow anyone to surpass them for fear of losing control. Therefore, they undermine the trust of those around them, keeping them dependent and submissive. This holds back the energy of the solar plexus, where the personal ego resides. Running away can mean that it is difficult to fit into society and these people can become “renegades” or loners.

The loner type often criticizes others and declares that he is better off in his own company than in the company of idiots or boring drunks. By criticizing and exalting himself above others, it is easy to avoid his own feelings of inadequacy. In the end, his only companion is loneliness. This applies not only to those who live alone, but also to people living in large families. Striving for a perfect world and rejecting those who do not meet their standards leads to anguish and bitterness. Pessimists often say that we come into this world alone and we die alone. But I would hardly find someone who was not attached to someone at the time of their birth.

The umbilical cord is a significant connection not only with our mother, but on a symbolic level with Mother Earth or the Mother as such. The soul can use the period of solitude to establish a connection with the personality. Then, alongside the shouting and anger, a small voice can be heard. On a spiritual level, no one can be alone; on all levels we have many friends who will help us to put aside our shackles and begin to trust. This is easier if we have reached a level of inner strength and security that comes from our loving and forgiving nature. Sometimes insecurity prevails and then manifests itself in the form of subordination. This type of people are convinced that they will never succeed in anything and will ruin everything. They are afraid to send their energy down to the earth and so they live partly outside their body in a world of fantasy and dreams and only partly on the earth.

Lack of soul involvement leads to hypotension (low blood pressure), dizziness, and poor circulation in the hands and feet. The phrase “if you’re in doubt, walk away” is apt for this type of person. These people also have trouble living in the present because they are overwhelmed by anxiety about the past and their own ideas about what the future will require of them. For them, the fear of life is greater than the fear of death.

Whether the uncertainty at the conscious level is removed or persists, if the spirit does not sufficiently control matter, illnesses caused by uncontrolled energy of the base chakra occur. These include panic attacks with a racing heart, hyperventilation, frequent urination, and regular visits to the toilet to relieve muscle spasm.

The physical body is simply not fully under control. These are all symptoms of the adrenal glands starting to fail. I usually hear from people who are trying to maintain control above all else that their problems come up during quiet times, most often in the middle of the night. “I don’t understand,” they say, “when I’m doing something, I have no problems, but as soon as I’m quiet, they come out.” I explain to them that when they are doing something, their conscious mind is able to keep the physical activities under control. During the recovery period, when the conscious mind “turns off,” control is released and the subconscious mind has a chance to express itself through physical symptoms. Again, the physical body is trying to both balance and correct the imbalance and is sending a clear message about the underlying cause of the problems. The problems we have just discussed force a person to start resting and reflecting on their life. But most of the time, they see it as an unpleasant addition and complication to their life, which makes them very depressed or upset.

The message that the illness brings is not used. Problems with the root chakra and insecurity are typical of humans and reveal our basic instincts. In order to feel safe on earth, we need to know that we are unique, needed and that our place on this planet is not questioned. When we know this, we need to be aware of this even in drunks in the ditch, in a murderer, a fugitive or a king. When we can see their value, we stop judging, because we all come from one source. When we complete the connection between the crown and base chakras, the physical body and emotions come under the control of the soul. This will increase our awareness of our own inner path and bring us confidence and peace. To "ground" spiritual energy, activities that connect the brain with the hands and feet are recommended, such as gardening, painting, cooking, pottery making, woodworking, hiking and dancing.

Emotion

Fear is healthy only as a warning signal that a dangerous situation has arisen, but somehow a more permanent state. As a child, I learned that fire burns. However, this does not mean that I panic every time I see fire. I have a healthy respect for danger, but I can still sit by the blazing flames on a cold winter night. Irrational fear can lead to paralyzing activity and rigidity, hiding from us deeper causes that we are unable to control. Fear can be understood as “false expectations of a misunderstood reality.” Fear usually relates to artificially created problems, not to reality. As inner strength and courage develop and we become less dependent on external support, irrational fear begins to disappear and we begin to move forward. The word courage, courage, has its origin in the French “coeur,” which means “from the heart.” This means that when our actions come from the heart of our soul, we gain courage. The need to put on armor, surround ourselves with a strong wall, and obsessively protect ourselves from external influences reveals that fear is behind it. The only protection we need is love, because only love, whether for ourselves or for other people, will bring us complete security and harmony.

Body language

The root chakra is located in the sacrum , tailbone, anus, and genitals. When someone feels insecure or anxious, it is common to protect this area with their hands or feet. Some women sit or stand with one leg wrapped around the other. Aside from the fact that this is not the best for their ligaments and joints, it reveals a deep-seated insecurity and lack of self-confidence. In my experience, this type of person often becomes defensive and rejects new ideas that could shake up their already shaky lives.

An imbalance in the root chakra can also be seen in people who are unable to stand or sit still. This is an expression of their feeling that they have no right to be here and stand firmly on the ground. Areas where excess fat is deposited in the body also express the need for protection in these places. A large butt signifies a desire to be protected and safe; thick legs, especially in women, serve as a burden to someone who does not really want to be there and reflect insecurity and hypersensitivity. Examples of imbalance in the root chakra

1) Constipation

Constipation is often experienced by people who are constantly on the go and under pressure and do not give their bodies the time they need. They do not pay attention to the body's signals, which leads to their intestines being constantly "under pressure". People of this type carry too much weight on their shoulders and will not put it down even when their activity is no longer necessary. Constipation is often experienced by people who want to give the impression that they have everything under control at all times. They do not like to express their feelings, and this manifests itself on a physical level as a problem with letting something come out. Children have only two ways to exert their power over their parents: refusing food or hiding their feelings. These behaviors can then persist into adulthood, but their effect is later focused less on others and more on the ability to control themselves. The fear of "letting things go" can turn into an advantage. These unexpressed emotions contain grief and sadness from the past. When they remain in the body and do not get out, they can keep coming back and bringing back the worst memories.

Constipated patients remember events that happened thirty years ago very well. It seems as if their safety depends on how well they remember all the wrongs. They like to tell all the wrongs over and over again and are very saddened when they hear that they should forgive and forget.

2) Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are dilated veins. They develop during excessive straining and when the bowel movement is not given enough time. This is common, for example, in women with small children who are constantly disturbed, even on the toilet, by noises that constantly demand their attention. It is also a problem for men who resort to the toilet with newspapers as the quietest place in the whole house. Suddenly they realize that time is running out and start to rush and do not give their bodies the necessary time to relax after defecation. Both of these categories of people need to learn to give their bodily functions the necessary time and not to follow the clock or the wishes of others.

3) Inflammation of the colon, colitis

It is an inflammatory bowel disease affecting the intestinal mucosa to varying degrees. The mucous, protruding part of the intestine is inflamed, bleeds and ulcers form on it. The most common symptom is diarrhea with blood. The disease causes general weakness, anemia and pain and, of course, disrupts the usual way of life. Possible causes of the disease are often hypersensitivity to certain foods, viral infection and stress. The last cause should be considered especially in people who tend to react hypersensitively and exaggeratedly to external stimuli. They are mostly perfectionists suffering from a fear of failure. They come from families where the bar for success was set high. In order to escape failure and fear, they try to get away, which is symbolized by diarrhea. This is clearly a destructive process and expresses their despair. They are afraid to stop and look at their life situation, so they prefer to keep themselves constantly active (including going to the toilet). 

4) Diarrhea

Diarrhea, unless it is a dietary mistake, often occurs as part of the anxious anticipation of a situation. As we have already said, this is common in people who try to appear calm on the outside, but inside feel insecure about their place in society. This type of person should be encouraged to remain calm and trust their inner strength. It is important not to forget that those who are the source of our anxiety, such as teachers, superiors, listeners, etc., are also people. 

5) Crohn's disease

This is another type of inflammatory bowel disease that attacks all layers of the digestive tract and can occur anywhere from the mouth to the anus. The main symptoms are diarrhea, pain, malabsorption and the appearance of a fistula (a channel between two organs). Again, hypersensitivity to certain foods and a viral infection are considered possible causes. From a spiritual-psychological point of view, people who get sick in this way are also perfectionists, obsessed with cleanliness, fulfilling duties and trying to "do things well". Unlike people prone to colitis (inflammation of the colon), they do not experience fear, but rather anger, which is manifested by circular inflammatory nodules (granulomas) that are typical of this disease. For people of this type, it is advisable to "relax", i.e. become more flexible and less rigid in their opinions. Get rid of anger and move forward. All diseases of the digestive tract are also associated with the throat chakra. This center is related to the conflict of "my will therefore Thy will" and many of the other problems we have discussed are related to strong or weak will. The fact that they are located in the area of ​​the base chakra connects them to the desire to be perfect. Other aspects of the will manifest themselves in other parts of the body and reflect that efforts are directed towards other goals.

6) Cold, numb fingers and toes

If a person feels threatened by his surroundings, instinct tells him to withdraw "inwards", thus leaving the limbs outside the flow of life energy. Complete self-awareness and freedom from fear increases both external and internal warmth.

7) Urination frequency

In very active people who are constantly on the go, we can observe that they run to the toilet at regular intervals. They know where all the public toilets are near their route. Their bladder is simply as overactive as they are and has a small capacity, so it needs to be emptied constantly. People of this type are usually not able to function with a greater load, because their lives are already demanding enough. They often use these difficulties subconsciously to avoid stressful situations, especially going somewhere where they would not feel safe. “I can’t go on a bus trip because there is no possibility to go to the toilet often.”

g) Bladder inflammation

Bladder inflammation is manifested by pain when urinating and the need to urinate frequently. On an emotional level, anger and fear are expressed, turning into a feeling of helplessness, especially in certain situations or relationships. “It makes me so angry, but I’m afraid to leave.” It can be observed that people of this type tend to hold on to old grief and hurt rather than letting go and floating. The willingness to act in the direction of the energy of movement and transcending your fear helps healing. Step into the area of ​​your own power and you will feel the safety that this brings.

9) Osteoarthritis of the hip joint

Osteoarthritis, a joint disease, is characterized by stiffness, limited range of motion, and pain. (When inflammation occurs, it is osteoarthritis.) The joints are our means of moving forward or of standing firmly and securely on the ground. This disease actually makes movement impossible because of the fear of leaving what is safe and secure. It reflects a rigidity of mind that stubbornly clings to old ideas and principles. Those who experience these problems need to be encouraged to step forward again. Most often, it involves changes in attitudes, how a person moves, and what they eat.

The issue of diet is particularly important, because osteoarthritis is usually linked to poor eating habits and being overweight, which leads to other problems. I remember once visiting an old lady who could not leave her house because of her arthritis. She had told me before that she hardly ate sweets and that she ate healthily. But she had a bunch of sweets by her chair, and when I asked her about it, she replied that she had received the sweets from family members who wanted to make her happy. She did not want to upset them, so she obediently ate them before returning home in the evening. I tactfully explained to the family that it would be better to give the patient fruit than sweets. Within a month, the patient lost a few kilos and was able to move around the house more easily. Weight loss is essential for people with arthritis that affects heavily loaded joints such as the hips or knees, and for people who are overweight.

10) Kidney stones

Stones are made up of substances that, for some reason, have not been eliminated from the body in the normal way. In the urinary tract, this can occur anywhere, from the kidneys to the urethra, and is usually related to long-term stress and subsequently to the restriction of the activity of the urinary tract muscles. On an esoteric level, the urinary system is associated with ignoring fear. Stones in the urethra symbolize unexpressed fear in people who appear confident on the outside, but inside feel insecurity and anxiety in some area of ​​their life. This type of people need to be encouraged to express and thus eliminate fear, which they achieve by becoming aware of their own inner security and the ability to freely walk their own path.

11) Hypertension (high blood pressure)

Blood pressure is the pressure of blood on the walls of the blood vessels during systole (contraction of the heart chambers) and diastole (relaxation of the chambers). The higher number in the reading refers to systole (external pressure) and the lower number to diastole (relaxation). Normal systolic blood pressure is 120 mmHg and diastolic 80 mmHg. We doctors mainly monitor an increase in diastolic blood pressure, because this means that the heart and blood vessels are not able to relax sufficiently. High blood pressure is considered when the diastolic value is above 90 mmHg , although it is debatable whether to start treatment until the value exceeds 105 mmHg. From an esoteric point of view, the inability to completely relax, even during a resting phase, is a sign that a person is unable to express themselves openly and is hiding something from others.

What people hide is not a sensational event, although I have had patients tell me deep personal secrets. But more often it is an inability to be themselves for fear of not being perfect in the eyes of others. People of this type are constantly on guard; they watch for any sign of their insecurity and pay great attention to controlling themselves. Interestingly, many patients are only diagnosed with hypertension after they have had a stroke and thus lost control of themselves and the helpless child hidden within them manifests itself. The hardening of the arteries that these patients suffer from is caused by cholesterol, which is both caused by the composition of their food and is produced by the liver under stress. It leads to the immobility of the blood vessels, which is related to the tendency to achieve mental security through control. When patients are able to speak openly and relax, it leads to a decrease in blood pressure, and techniques that enable this should be an integral part of treatment in all cardiology departments.

12) Hypotension (low blood pressure)

In such cases the influence of the soul on the body is weak, and this is manifested in the fact that a person adapts his life to the needs of others and neglects his own inner needs. People with these problems need encouragement to bring their energy down to earth and go firmly on their own path.

13) Impotence

The external genitalia, such as the penis or clitoris, are also controlled by the base chakra. They can be stimulated without causing release in a relationship and activate the fiery energy from the lower spine. This energy is often encountered in early childhood, long before the secondary sexual characteristics begin to develop. However, the sexual act is not the only means of awakening the “serpent” dormant in the base chakra, culminating in orgasm in the crown chakra; many experiences will bring about a similar surge of energy if one allows oneself to enjoy life. Impotence occurs either when feelings are under too much control or when the level of self-esteem is so low that this also leads to failure.

The more often a man fails, the more he assumes he will fail again. The sexual act is so highly valued in relation to the affirmation of masculinity that it is no wonder that impotence is on the rise in today’s competitive world. If self-esteem depends on the sexual act, then it shows how desperate a person is. Appreciating oneself on all levels and being able to admit one’s imperfections helps people develop a more balanced view of their performance. No one can give us a sense of self-worth… that comes from within ourselves.

14) Vaginismus

It is a condition in which the vaginal muscles are so tight that sexual intercourse cannot be performed or at least it is very uncomfortable. This disorder has various causes, but the most common is sexual abuse in childhood or adolescence. The experience of past helplessness causes a woman to later use all the strength she has to close the entrance. Abuse also manifests itself in the sacral and cervical chakras and is related to the fear of expressing herself and a feeling of guilt for what happened. In many cases, women protect themselves by suppressing sexual needs and there is a decrease in activity in the pelvic area. Women with these problems need professional help and a considerate partner who feels confident and is able to let the energy of the sexual act be divided equally between both participants.

15) Congenital foot deformities

The feet are where spirit meets matter. When I see someone with clubfoot or high arches, I usually find that I have encountered a very sensitive soul who is not sure if they want to come to this earth. They are usually afraid and anxious, which manifests itself during childbirth in a long and difficult process, problems with breathing or carrying. The reluctance to be born can in the first years of life be replaced by periods of protest with manifestations such as screaming, tantrums or physical ailments. Children with these problems need firm but loving guidance with encouragement to continue on their journey. Usually after their 28th year (the first return of Saturn) they allow the energy of the soul to enter the body and leave a mark on the surface of the earth. 

Recommendations on how to harmonize the root chakra

1) Don't be so proud and controlling that you lose the ability to admit a problem. Realize that what you don't like about other people is a reflection of your own inner self trying to draw attention to itself.

2) Put aside the thorn that keeps nagging you that you are not perfect enough… stop making your life miserable. Love yourself.

3) Be happy that you are not perfect and that you make mistakes. Perfection is not a state of balance. You achieve balance when you accept both your perfect and imperfect sides.

4) Realize your uniqueness. This realization means that there is no reason to compare yourself to anyone else. The soul itself will maintain the necessary pressure that is needed to move forward.

5) Choose leisure sports where the goal is not to achieve a certain performance in a certain time unit, such as swimming 20 times in a pool in 10 minutes. Set either a distance or a time, but not both at the same time.

6) Make your own decision to live on this earth and enjoy life. This doesn't mean that life will always be easy, but you will cope better with the full support of your soul than when you are partially out of body.

7) Good grounding activities include gardening, cooking, pottery, art, or walking. When possible, stand barefoot on the ground and feel the energy of the earth pulling you to the center of this planet.

8) Get some clothing that covers the base chakra area, i.e. shoes, pants, socks, skirt or panties, in red. However, remember that too much red creates a lot of energy in the base chakra area, so if you are well connected to the earth, alternate it with darker shades of red or other colors.

9) Lean against a tree and feel the energy of a tree that has been here on earth for thousands of years. Imagine that your feet are the roots of such a tree, growing deep into the earth, and your head and hands reaching for the light. This exercise activates both the base and crown chakras.

10) Do something fun and let your inner child play. Again, it’s best if the activity involves land or water, but it can be anything you’ve forgotten about and put aside in your quest to “be perfect.”

11) Stand firmly on the ground with your knees slightly bent and say: “I have my own unique place here on earth and that is why I feel secure and safe.”